The Alexander King house, built in 1764, was given to the Suffield Historical Society in 1960 by Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Spencer who had purchased this long-neglected building, neighbor to their own home, in 1910. The house was built by Alexander King, one of Suffield’s leading citizens of the time. King had graduated from Yale College and practiced medicine in the town. He was politically active, serving as a town selectman for many years and in the state legislature. He supported the American Revolution, and was a delegate to the state convention which ratified the United States Constitution in 1788. Over the years the house was repaired and restored to its original to its original appearance with the assistance of noted architect J. Frederick Kelly. When restoration was complete, Mrs. Spencer interestedherself in the interior, refinishing and refurnishing. Many of the pieces used were family treasures that had belonged to Mr. Spencer’s parents. Two important items in particular were those made by Suffield cabinetmakers. One is the tall case clock made by Simeon Smith (ca.1801), and the other is a Hepplewhite card table (ca. 1795) signed in chalk by John Leavitt.

   In 1983 the house suffered extensive damage from a dire caused by an overheated furnace. Fortunately, almost all of the furniture and collections were carried out and were rescued with little harm. Subsequently, the affected section of the house was restored by skilled craftsmen who faithfully reproduced the original features.
   The dining room is the most elaborate and was much spared fire damage. The outstanding feature is the exceptionally fine corner cupboard with its shell-carved interior. This cupboard is credited to Eliphalet King, a known Suffield builder and cabinetmaker whose own house on High Street contains a similar cupboard. The sideboard, a pair of demi-lune tables and a candlestand in this room were made locally by John Fitch Parsons whose account book authenticates the pieces as having been made for Samuel Spencer’s ancestor, Ebenezer King.
    In his presentation of the King house to the Historical Society, Mr. Spencer wrote that the house was dedicated “to the memory of the Spencer family who helped settle Suffield in 1674 and who have lived in Suffield ever since, each generation playing a part in the town’s development.”
    King’s home, since 1960 the museum of the Suffield Historical Society, is filled with a great collection of early Connecticut Valley furniture. In addition, the museum’s galleries display many interesting  exhibits of local history.
    Especially significant is the Suffield cigar tobacco exhibit, as the town for many decades was one of the major sources of Connecticut Valley tobacco, as well as the location of the first cigar factory in the United States. Other exhibits include a large gathering of early flasks and bottles, an unusual set of tenth wedding anniversary tinware, and a large collection of Bennington pottery, along with many other examples of local memorabilia.

    Open May through September, Wednesday and Saturday 10:00-4:00, and by appointment.